Welcome!
Welcome to the New York Film Academy’s summer programs for kids in New York City! Students should come ready to commit themselves to an intensive, fun, and rewarding experience — whether they’ll be learning how to make films, animations, games, photographs, act for the camera or sing, dance, and act on stage.
We ask that parents read through this packet carefully. It provides information that will prove invaluable in orienting yourselves to our program.
We look forward to an exciting summer in New York City!
NYFA at a Glance
MISSION STATEMENT
Through its educational programs, the New York Film Academy (“NYFA”) propagates visual literacy and visual storytelling through hands-on intensive learning. It seeks to make visual storytelling education accessible to the most diverse, international, and broadest possible spectrum of campers, and to hone the skills of future professionals so that they may one day serve the visual storytelling arts as industry leaders.
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
NYFA Kids Programs are based on the philosophy of “learn by doing.” Every curriculum stems from that belief. NYFA believes that the most effective way for our campers to master their chosen craft is to immediately start creating their own work in a hands-on intensive working environment.
NYFA VALUES
Leadership – To be a successful artist in these collaborative fields, leadership qualities are important. Through the work and development of the projects that campers make or perform in, they can enhance their ability to engage others to work together and create impactful art.
Creativity – We encourage campers to think outside the box. The challenges inherent in these crafts force campers to develop creative solutions to achieve desired results.
Collaboration – Quality leadership and collaboration go hand in hand. To achieve educational and creative goals, campers must work together and often depend on their classmates’ assistance to execute their projects. Collaboration fosters the ability to conduct oneself with professionalism and respect to others and their creativity.
Discipline – The discipline required to create quality work is extraordinary. A camper will need to practice the art of discipline, and try their hand at a craft that requires full dedication to succeed.
Expression and Individuality – Through visual and performing arts, our campers have an extraordinary opportunity to express their point of view and discuss their thoughts, ideas and concerns. We encourage campers to use their own experiences to inform their work, which often results in truthful and moving storytelling.
OUR INSTRUCTORS
NYFA’s faculty members are active performing and visual arts professionals. They all have a passion for the arts including storytelling and teaching and are consistently given the highest praise from our campers.
STAFFING
The Director of Kids Programs supervises all Kids Program staff, which includes counselors, instructors and technical assistants. Questions regarding Camper Services should be directed to the Director of Kids Programs.
COVID-19 Safety Protocols
New York Film Academy is excited to return to campus this summer for our Kids SummerCamps. At this time, however, COVID-19 is still a risk, and special precautions remain necessary to keep our campers, faculty and staff healthy and safe. Should circumstances concerning the spread of COVID-19 change, NYFA may update or change its safety protocols, and any such changes will be communicated to campers and their guardians. All campers will be required to adhere to all safety protocols implemented by NYFA. Currently, all NYFA attendees are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated and boosted, when eligible. Wearing N95 masks or masks of comparable quality on campus, in the dormitories, or when present in group settings, on and off campus is also encouraged, but not required.
It also must be understood, regardless of the safety precautions that NYFA takes to protect our community, NYFA cannot guarantee the elimination of all risk or the spread of infection. Additionally, as per NYFA’s published Covid Safety Plan, should a significant spread of infection be detected, as determined by our Covid Team administrators. According to predetermined metrics, NYFA may transition from in-person to online instruction.
Registration
All NYFA camps have open enrollment, though NYFA prerequisites may apply. No previous experience is required. The application for the camps may be filled out online. A deposit ($500) is required to secure the camper’s spot in the program of their choice. Once the application and the deposit have been made, the camper will receive an online packet containing forms that must be filled out by the camper and their parents/ guardians. Such forms include COVID protocols, rules and regulations, medical forms and pick up release forms.
Summer Camp Forms In Applicant Portal
Parents and students will need to sign all required Summer Forms in the Application Portal.
In addition to signing all required forms, you will need to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination, Health Examination Form, front and back copy of medical insurance card detailing health information (for student), and a CURRENT photo (of student) in the Applicant Portal.
If you have any questions, contact us at 212-674-4300 or email [email protected]
Registration & Orientation
Due to Covid-19 space restrictions we will not be asking parents to attend Monday Orientations. Due to this we ask you that please read the welcome letter from the Director of Programs, which will arrive before your program start in its entirety
Dates
Registration and Orientation (depending on your start date):
Monday, July 8th – 9AM
Monday, July 22nd – 9AM
Monday, August 5th – 9AM
Supervision
Students in the kids program will be supervised at all times – in class, while filming in the school or in the surrounding areas, at lunch, and up until the time they are picked up at the end of the day.
The pick up process will include signing your student out with a teaching assistant at the end of each day at 4PM. Please refer to the details in your welcome letter.
Lunch
Students have one hour to eat lunch. Due to Covid 19 all students must bring a packed lunch that does not need to be refrigerated or microwaved each day. There will be no ability to order or purchase lunch elsewhere.
Transportation
Please make all transportation arrangements before the program begins. It is important that all students arrive on time every day (as set by the schedule you’ll receive at orientation).
Students must be picked up at 4:00 PM.
Medical Care
If students are in need of any medical attention, they should immediately advise their instructor or teaching assistant. Staff will take them directly to the nearest medical facility.
If needed, please make sure your child is supplied with any prescription medication they will need for the duration of your program. (Please note: we cannot be responsible for dispensing medication – this is the responsibility of the student).
If the student has a recurring medical condition we should be made aware of, please send us his or her medical history, as well as any information or records that may assist doctors in treatment.
Please inform us of any allergies the student may have on the Medical Release form.
We suggest you contact your insurance provider if you are unsure whether your policy covers your child in New York, NY.
Remember to fill out the medical information form in the Applicant Portal and upload the front and back of your insurance card.
Important Contact Info
NYFA Main Office Number: 212-674-4300
NYFA Website: nyfa.edu/summer-camps
General Questions:
Email: [email protected]
On site and Online camp questions:
Email: [email protected]
Program Director Email: [email protected]
Camp Director Bio
Originally from Kalamazoo, MI, Kenzie Ross is a New York City based actor, writer and producer. She most recently originated the role of MISSY SUE/CANDICE in Dominique Morrieseau’s newest play, CONFEDERATES at The Signature Theatre in NYC. Her web series, THE NEXT RIGHT THING, can be found on iOne Digital streaming (NY Indie Theatre Film Festival, LA Hollyweb Fest, Miami Web Fest, The Reel Sisters Film Festival and NYC WebFest). Other credits include: ASHA, BLOOD AT THE ROOT (National Black Theatre, Kennedy Center Hip Hop Theater Award, South African Tour), CELIA, AS YOU LIKE IT and LITTLE STONE, EURYDICE (American Shakespeare Center), MRS. CRATCHIT, A CHRISTMAS CAROL IN HARLEM (Classical Theatre of Harlem), MUTT (SXSW Film Festival, Vimeo Staff Picks) and festivals produced by The LARK, The Dirty Blondes, and Amios’ SHOTZ! As a writer, she was in Athena Theatre Company’s emerging playwrights group of 2016, where her full length, CROSSING OVER, was produced at Symphony Space. Her short play, MORNING, was produced in Mastodon Theater Company’s “Pint Sized Plays” and was a finalist in the “New York New Works Theater Festival.”
Her production company, Rare Lotus Productions is interested in conscious entertainment with short films like, COMMIT (Audience Choice Awards Finalist 2019), THE NEXT RIGHT THING (Best Pilot Nominee) and WOODFORD COUNTY. She holds her MFA in Acting from Penn State University and her BA from Western Michigan University. She is also trained in trauma informed education through The Lineage Project and has a rich background in Mindfulness Meditation.
Checklist
Tuition is due 30 days before the start of your program. Please pay via this link below:
ATTN: Kids Program
*You will need your student’s ID number which is located on the invoice that was sent to you via email.
- Inform NYFA of any changes to your address, email or phone.
- Complete your Summer Forms in the Applicant Portal (including the medical release form, self release form and COVID-19 forms).
- Please contact us with any questions.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU THIS SUMMER!
Preparation
We look forward to seeing the amazing work you will produce during your camp. Please read through the section designated for your program in the following pages. We have outlined information for you to best prepare for your camp.
FILMMAKING STUDENTS
Filmmaking
students should prepare by writing any story ideas, character notes or other thoughts. Alternatively, students can sketch stories out, like a comic book. Students should bring this material with them to class.
While their ideas will evolve throughout the program, students will get a head start by prepping something prior to starting the workshop. Students should remember to think visually!
Film students should also listen to music they might want to use for their films. By the end of the first week, they should bring music with them to class to use.
While there is no required reading, we have found “Filmmaking for Teens” by Troy Lanier and Clay Nichols to be a fun, concise guide for introducing younger students to film. For more advanced kids, we recommend “Film Directing: Shot by Shot by” Stephen Katz.
ACTING FOR FILM STUDENTS
Acting for Film students can prepare by watching their favorite actors in movies and on television! But afterwards they have to put their thinking hats on, asking, what is it about the performance that makes the actor so captivating? Students should note specific scenes that move them and be able to explain why.
We encourage acting for film students to take a shot at reading plays and scripts involving young people. They can find these either online, or in compilations in the library or bookstore. (One example: “Awesome Plays for Teens & Tweens” by Christina Hamlett). If there is a particular scene or monologue they wish to act out, they should bring it to class! Their instructors may be able to integrate the piece into the curriculum.
MUSICAL THEATRE STUDENTS
Musical theatre students can prepare by watching one or all of the following musical theatre movies:
- “ Beauty and the Beast” (1991 version, which was the first animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture)
- “Oliver”
- “Into the Woods” (live Broadway version with Bernadette Peters)
We also encourage students to sing as much as possible. This can be in choir, in voice lessons, or at home. If a student is already in dance classes, continue to practice.
Plan to wear comfortable clothing to class. You will be moving and should be dressed to allow freedom of movement. Dresses should not be worn.
3D ANIMATION
This computer animation class is geared towards animating characters and environments. Students will work in industry standard software from day one to create short dimensional scenes.
Animators are filmmakers, so any reading on film can help students prepare for the visual requirements of directing. “Filmmaking for Teens” by Troy Lanier and Clay Nichols is a fun, concise guide for introducing younger students to film.
Students may enjoy watching Chuck Jones’ Bugs Bunny shorts, to understand humor and pose-to-pose animation. We also recommend that students watch anything from Pixar! There are some wonderful animated shorts on TV (Nickelodeon and the Cartoon Network) that the students can check out.
GAME DESIGN
The New York Film Academy kids game design camp is designed to provide kids with a method for building digital games and to teach them the language of playable systems. Campers may want to spend some time playing a variety of games, as well as thinking about ways to change their rules, goals, materials, and space. Any experience playing and making games, making up stories and characters, coding, and creating visual art is an asset, but not required.
Campers will learn to brainstorm, prototype, and build games using the playcentric method of design, making prototypes, and crafting digital games using industry standard software and their inventive imaginations!
PHOTOGRAPHY STUDENTS
Photography students should take any opportunity to use their own cameras or even theirs or their parent’s phones to take photos. Start thinking about what you like to photograph, how you are choosing to frame your subject(s) within the photo, and what you are trying to communicate with this image.
Students will be heading outside on photo shoots so wearing cool and comfortable clothing as well as sunscreen is highly suggested.
